The Role of Business in Global Development: When Charity Pays Off

On May 25, on the site of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum the discussion will be helded, titled "The Role of Business in Global Development: When Charity Pays Off". Moderator Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director of the Valdai Discussion Club

It has become the norm for large corporations active in or entering international markets to engage in social and charitable projects in their host countries. This allows companies not only to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility and improve their image abroad, but also to make a real contribution to society and address inequality. Most recently, Russian corporations have been actively expanding this aspect of their business. By creating workplaces abroad, Russian businesses contribute to social programmes and to improving the livelihoods of people in their host countries. Moving beyond symbolic gestures, corporations are making significant contributions to the implementation of socially-oriented programmes aimed at, among other things, improving quality of life, providing humanitarian and medical aid, and combating epidemics. Such work is being undertaken in a large number of countries, including in the CIS, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. What are the value and benefits of this activity? Can large corporations enter into partnerships with non-governmental organizations to contribute to the long-term sustainable development of society? Should the state be supportive of this? How are innovations impacting the social and humanitarian activities of corporations? What is the platform for interaction between corporations and Russian and international NGOs?

Moderator

Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club

Panelists

Irina Bakhtina, Vice President for Sustainable Business Development and Corporate Relations in North Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Africa, Unilever